Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Rotterdam
A rebuilt, architecturally bold port city, known for its modern skyline in contrast to Amsterdam's historic one. Almost entirely destroyed in a WWII bombing raid, it was rebuilt as a testing ground for ambitious modern architecture.
Best time to visit: May to September for the warmest, driest weather.
Local tip: Rotterdam is one of Europe's most bike-friendly cities — renting one is an easy way to cover its spread-out modern landmarks.
Getting around: A metro, tram, and extensive cycling network all cover the city well — Rotterdam's landmarks are more spread out than Amsterdam's, so transit or a bike helps more here.
Good to know: Because Rotterdam was rebuilt almost entirely after WWII, it has a very different, far more modern architectural character than most other historic Dutch cities.
What to plan your trip around
- Cube Houses
A cluster of tilted cube-shaped houses, one of the city's most photographed modern landmarks.
- Markthal
A striking arched market hall combining food stalls with apartments and a huge ceiling mural.
- Erasmus Bridge
A cable-stayed bridge nicknamed 'The Swan' that has become a symbol of the rebuilt city.
- Euromast
A 185-metre observation tower offering panoramic views over the city and its port.
Rotterdam weather by month
Rotterdam weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Rotterdam gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | 3°C | 77 mm | 91% |
| February | 6°C | 2°C | 61 mm | 89% |
| March | 9°C | 3°C | 51 mm | 86% |
| April | 13°C | 6°C | 36 mm | 81% |
| May | 16°C | 9°C | 50 mm | 79% |
| June | 19°C | 13°C | 70 mm | 79% |
| July | 21°C | 15°C | 76 mm | 77% |
| August | 22°C | 15°C | 76 mm | 76% |
| September | 19°C | 13°C | 69 mm | 79% |
| October | 15°C | 10°C | 85 mm | 85% |
| November | 10°C | 6°C | 69 mm | 89% |
| December | 8°C | 4°C | 92 mm | 91% |
Rotterdam through the year
January · 6° / 3°C · 77 mm
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
- Short daylight hours mean Erasmus Bridge is best seen around midday.
April · 13° / 6°C · 36 mm
- It's one of the sunniest months here, with cloud cover around 61%.
- In Rotterdam, April is mid-spring.
July · 21° / 15°C · 76 mm
- Just 50 km apart, but Rotterdam runs about 2°C cooler than Utrecht this month.
- Only one month is warmer in Rotterdam than July.
October · 15° / 10°C · 85 mm
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 5°C lower by November.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
The best time to visit Rotterdam is May, June and September, when average highs are 16–19°C and rainfall is around 63 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Rotterdam, season by season
December – February
Cold7° / 3°C · 77 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Cold13° / 6°C · 46 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
June – August
Good21° / 14°C · 74 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Rotterdam?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Rotterdam in May, June and September. Average highs are then 16–19°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit Rotterdam?
- In May, Rotterdam averages 16°C by day and 9°C at night, with about 50 mm of rain and 64% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Rotterdam?
- August is the warmest month in Rotterdam, with average highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C.
- What is the coldest month in Rotterdam?
- January is the coldest month in Rotterdam: average highs of 6°C, dropping to 3°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Rotterdam?
- December is the wettest month in Rotterdam with about 92 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 36 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Rotterdam?
- January is the least pleasant month in Rotterdam, with average highs of just 6°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Rotterdam?
- Yes. October sits just outside the best months for Rotterdam, with average highs of 15°C and about 85 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, it is a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Rotterdam before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Rotterdam from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
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Best time to visit Rotterdam. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/netherlands/rotterdam
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/netherlands/rotterdam">Best time to visit Rotterdam</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/netherlands/rotterdam" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Rotterdam"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/netherlands/rotterdam">Best time to visit Rotterdam</a> – WeatherCompare</p>